Athletics Mourns the Passing of Former Track and Field Olympian Tori Bowie
5/3/2023 10:31:00 AM | Track & Field
HATTIESBURG, Miss. – The Southern Miss Department of Athletics mourns the passing of former Golden Eagle track and field Olympian, Tori Bowie, who died Tuesday.
Once the Fastest Woman in the World by winning the 100-meter dash during the 2017 World Track and Field Championships in London, and a three-time Olympic medalist in the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Summer Games, Bowie also garnered two national championships during her time at Southern Miss, winning in both the NCAA Indoor and Outdoor events in 2011. Just last year, Bowie was inducted into the Southern Miss M-Club Hall of Fame.
"I'm very saddened to hear of Tori's passing," said Southern Miss Track and Field Coach Jon Stuart. "She was such an iconic figure for our track and field program. I only wish comfort and peace for her family and friends."
Bowie, 32, lettered four seasons at Southern Miss from 2009-12.
As a freshman, she collected a 2009 Mideast Student-Athlete All-Region honor in the long jump and went on to post a season-best mark of 19'04.75" to place third at the 2009 C-USA Indoor Championships. Her feats were not just limited to the long jump as she also ran a 24.18 in the 200-meters as well as also placing second in the long jump at the 2009 C-USA Outdoor Championships with a 21'8" mark. Her success also allowed her to compete in the 2009 USA Track and Field Junior Championships in the long jump as well as to advance to the 2009 NCAA Championships.
During her sophomore campaign, Bowie registered a personal best 7.49 in the 60-meters and won the Meyo Invitational 200-meters that year. She earned runner-up at the 2010 C-USA Indoor Championships in the long jump and placed third in that event at the 2010 C-USA Outdoor Championships, going on to place sixth at the 2010 NCAA meet. In addition, Bowie earned eighth place at the USA Track and Field Championships with a 21'4" jump.
Bowie was the C-USA Indoor long jump champion and second-place finisher in triple jump her junior year and later became an NCAA Indoor National Champion with a school-record mark of 21'4.75" on her way to becoming an NCAA All-American. She also captured the C-USA Field Athlete of the Year that season.
She placed second in long jump and triple jump at the 2011 C-USA Outdoor meet, going on to become the 2011 NCAA Outdoor National Champion with a school-record 21'9.5" mark. As a senior Bowie also won the 2012 C-USA Indoor Triple Jump as well as C-USA Outdoor Long Jump competitions. She went on to finish as runner-up at the NCAA Championships.
Following her Golden Eagle career, she continued her climb up the track and field ladder that included her pinnacle of winning three medals at the 2016 Rio Summer Games, which included a gold in the 4x100-meter relay, a silver in the 100-meters and a bronze in the 200-meters.
Bowie currently holds the distinction of being the last American female to win the 100-meters race on an international stage during the 2017 World Championships in London.
"We are heartbroken to learn of the tragic passing of Tori Bowie," said Southern Miss Director of Athletics Jeremy McClain. "She represented the Golden Eagle spirit in so many ways and was an inspiration to many of our student-athletes. Our thoughts and prayers are with her family during this difficult time."
Following her success at the Olympics, the University held Tori Bowie Day, Nov. 25, 2016, and dedicated a sign in her honor at the Marshall Bell Track and Field Complex.
Once the Fastest Woman in the World by winning the 100-meter dash during the 2017 World Track and Field Championships in London, and a three-time Olympic medalist in the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Summer Games, Bowie also garnered two national championships during her time at Southern Miss, winning in both the NCAA Indoor and Outdoor events in 2011. Just last year, Bowie was inducted into the Southern Miss M-Club Hall of Fame.
"I'm very saddened to hear of Tori's passing," said Southern Miss Track and Field Coach Jon Stuart. "She was such an iconic figure for our track and field program. I only wish comfort and peace for her family and friends."
Bowie, 32, lettered four seasons at Southern Miss from 2009-12.
As a freshman, she collected a 2009 Mideast Student-Athlete All-Region honor in the long jump and went on to post a season-best mark of 19'04.75" to place third at the 2009 C-USA Indoor Championships. Her feats were not just limited to the long jump as she also ran a 24.18 in the 200-meters as well as also placing second in the long jump at the 2009 C-USA Outdoor Championships with a 21'8" mark. Her success also allowed her to compete in the 2009 USA Track and Field Junior Championships in the long jump as well as to advance to the 2009 NCAA Championships.
During her sophomore campaign, Bowie registered a personal best 7.49 in the 60-meters and won the Meyo Invitational 200-meters that year. She earned runner-up at the 2010 C-USA Indoor Championships in the long jump and placed third in that event at the 2010 C-USA Outdoor Championships, going on to place sixth at the 2010 NCAA meet. In addition, Bowie earned eighth place at the USA Track and Field Championships with a 21'4" jump.
Bowie was the C-USA Indoor long jump champion and second-place finisher in triple jump her junior year and later became an NCAA Indoor National Champion with a school-record mark of 21'4.75" on her way to becoming an NCAA All-American. She also captured the C-USA Field Athlete of the Year that season.
She placed second in long jump and triple jump at the 2011 C-USA Outdoor meet, going on to become the 2011 NCAA Outdoor National Champion with a school-record 21'9.5" mark. As a senior Bowie also won the 2012 C-USA Indoor Triple Jump as well as C-USA Outdoor Long Jump competitions. She went on to finish as runner-up at the NCAA Championships.
Following her Golden Eagle career, she continued her climb up the track and field ladder that included her pinnacle of winning three medals at the 2016 Rio Summer Games, which included a gold in the 4x100-meter relay, a silver in the 100-meters and a bronze in the 200-meters.
Bowie currently holds the distinction of being the last American female to win the 100-meters race on an international stage during the 2017 World Championships in London.
"We are heartbroken to learn of the tragic passing of Tori Bowie," said Southern Miss Director of Athletics Jeremy McClain. "She represented the Golden Eagle spirit in so many ways and was an inspiration to many of our student-athletes. Our thoughts and prayers are with her family during this difficult time."
Following her success at the Olympics, the University held Tori Bowie Day, Nov. 25, 2016, and dedicated a sign in her honor at the Marshall Bell Track and Field Complex.
Charles Huff Weekly Press Conference - The Jackson State Game
Tuesday, September 02
Charles Huff Weekly Press Conference - The Mississippi State Game
Tuesday, August 26
Charles Huff Press Conference - August 12
Tuesday, August 12
Charles Huff Fall Camp Press Conference - August 8, 2025
Friday, August 08